Satavahana University row: Dalit Professor, student allegedly labelled ‘Urban Naxals’
HYDERABAD: A row erupted at Satavahana University after authorities allegedly labelled a Dalit woman professor and a Dalit student as Urban Naxals and subjected them to sustained harassment. The Telangana Save Education Committee demanded immediate intervention.
In a statement on Thursday, the Committee identified Professor Surepalli Sujatha, Head of the Sociology Department and Principal of the Arts College, and Karike Mahesh, an Economics student, as targets of a coordinated campaign. The Committee stated that a group of students filed complaints with the Collector and local Member of Parliament and spread unsubstantiated claims in print and social media, accusing the two of links to the Maoist party.
“Despite possessing all necessary qualifications and experience, removing a Dalit woman professor, who also holds additional responsibilities as Principal, is an act of vindictiveness,” said Professor K. Chakradhar Rao, Professor G. Haragopal, and Professor K. Lakshminarayana, President and Secretaries of the Committee.
The Committee warned that these developments harm the university’s academic environment, which serves many students from rural, Dalit, and Adivasi backgrounds. It also criticized the Vice-Chancellor for remaining silent, even though he must protect university autonomy, academic freedom, and freedom of expression.
Amid concerns about commercialization, centralization, and communalization in education, the Committee urged the university administration to prevent further harassment of marginalized groups, particularly women faculty.
“The Vice-Chancellor must end such baseless allegations, harassment, and vindictive actions, and protect the autonomy and academic environment of the university,” the Committee added.
